2- Integrate Media

Second in Series of Pivotal ProjectsChosen by Bryn Ohto represent her development as an immersive artistReview by Eleanor Medier/ Liane Sebastian, virtual art critic

Bryn has a large body of work from many years in Second Life®. Some themes reoccur, stringing together, and bringing individual pieces into a continuing narrative. With three individual Machinima combined, a cohesive trio makes each segment more complete. What qualities make a work complete? Each of these three stories has a plot with crisis, climax, and conclusion. They introduce the viewer to Bryn’s created world— experiences that reflect her real life, built in virtual, and expressed in a composed blend. Every virtual artist lives in three arena: first life with creative limitations, second life with freedom, and third life with imagination. Bryn goes so far in the third life that the world she creates is a background for more than half of her accomplishments.

Bryn introduces characters with whom every sensitive viewer can identify. Through them, she expresses the isolation of uniqueness, for every artist must be a misfit in society. Only art that challenges, that captures deep emotion, and that presents a mysterious conflict, can have lasting impact. These qualities are not present in the world of a conformist. Only through living in nonconformity can its expression be reflective. Standby is the most linear of Bryn’s works in this collection, incorporating a very direct story line, around the philosophy that “To stand we must fall.”

Although Bryn uses many traditional techniques of composition, contrast, and form, she finds opportunity in the virtual world to venture much further into blended media. Now, she can incorporate writing, plot structure, lighting techniques, sequencing, movement, and sound. She intertwines the build scenes within the Machinima, for the latter is the medium that most viewers will see. Bryn shares comments about her works in her blog, that run alongside, and extends the message. This trio is a glimpse of how she will push media further, emphasizing the unique qualities of each.

“This work required me to develop a long-term view and patience to develop the start of an interconnected narrative. It spans all my artwork. The overall idea is a world where all the individual artworks reside in different locations. Occasionally they try to cross paths. So the Daughter lives in the same world as the Rabbicorn who lives in the same world as Imogen and Gretchen and the characters from 26 tines and so on. Rather than as a single painting in time or a sculpture, this unique medium can be used to build a multi-layered world that is immersive and interconnected with duration.

“With Standby, I wanted to write a conclusion which seemed wrong—the anti-Hollywood ending. To hide away from reality, much like some do in SL, is how many perceive the virtual space. They are happier there, as is Kumiko or Imogen, or various other characters I create. We are bombarded with perceptions that we must live life to its fullest and that is usually accompanied by someone jumping out of a plane with a parachute. But in the end, isn’t happiness what is important, however it is achieved? It is all life.” —Bryn Oh

“Becoming Bryn” review by Eleanor Medier / Liane Sebastian
The various levels of Bryn Oh’s creations are represented by these seven pivotal works, chosen by the artist. Giving context to the review, Bryn’s voice gives even greater nuance to understanding both her work and experiences, combined to leave a lasting effect.

“7- Experimental Themes” review of Obedience by Bryn OhInterprets classical theme from new perspective, designed for real world viewing.

The in-world edition has further comments on these pivotal works. This overview article can be like a guide into Bryn’s world, giving its own structure to appreciating her environments and immersive experiences. Viewers can’t just look at a piece and not wish to know more. Each is enigmatic on its own. Each hints of more levels to come. The in-world review explores how the virtual world serves as the stage for Bryn’s creations. Like the levels that she incorporates between media, and complementary messages that use the features of each, Sim Street Journal is also multi-media in a similar range: from experiencing sims in SL, to capturing representative images, to building themes using complementary online vehicles. This review of Bryn’s work is best experienced as a suite. It is now released in a PDF to archive. Receive the in-world different, yet expanding edition, click on the kiosk at http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Innu/40/36/1650, or download PDF Sim Street Journal#18.— The in-world magazine has topics that relate to those who understand the virtual context, including photographs, parallel articles. It has tabs for information landmarks, and web links.— The online magazine expresses what the virtual world offers the real one. It is a mirror that reflects parallel articles, hot topics, and provides more links.Contributions are encouraged if covering topics relevant to real world readers.

Please see the INDEX for all contributors and articles.(Back issues are available on MARKETPLACE).

– – – – – – – – – – – – – CONTACTS:

Sim Street Journal explores the relevance of virtual to real commerce and culture.